A Service of Worship for
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Full Worship Service video for July 26.
Adult Education - TODAY, 10AM
Adult Education will member David Ramsey, who will present his spiritual journey at 10am via Zoom. Zoom links are available on the Online Gatherings page on our website: https://www.covenanthouston.org/covenant-gatherings.html |
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Prelude
“Londonderry Gardens” Charles Peery, The Bayou City Bells, David Lee, director. Call to Worship Opening Sentences Though the parables and sayings of Jesus are in continuity with the Hebrew Scriptures and, specifically, with the promise of a coming Kingdom of God, there is something about them that can only be described as radical. They call our world, the here-and-now world in which we live, into question. They stand us before the coming of an inexplicably different social order. As such, they are full of hope and, at the same time, the unnerving threat of change. Scripture Lesson: Matthew 13:31-35; 44-50 Time for Children Call to Confession Unison Confession
The truth is not a matter of elaborating the details of a parable but of making God’s nearness visible; God can be seen in everyday life, beside the bread trough. Jesus wants to open people’s eyes to this. The work of women and men, work for life, is transparent to God’s work. Such an image may sharpen our gaze to what is work for human life and what is not-- and what that has to do with God Music “Show Me Thy Ways” by Walter Pelz, The Covenant Singers, Heather Laureles, clarinet. |
Proclamation
Prayer Gentle and Welcoming One, Loving and Joyful Spirit, Your warm, wide arms are always open, drawing us into your heart full of love. Make our arms your own, helping us see and welcome with compassion all those we meet. Your compassion always looked like courage. Strengthen our hearts with your bravery as we risk, reach out, and lift up our siblings near and far. Help us keep our eyes on you. Thank you for your Spirit within us who guides, encourages, and strengthens us. Help us see ourselves through your eyes - with love, kindness, and deep joy. May we love our bodies, treasure our hearts, and celebrate our spirits. You are active and alive, always moving and stirring within and around us! Please be an encouraging wind at our backs, giving us open minds and soft hearts to follow where you lead. Make us flexible and present in each moment that we might embrace compassion by letting go of what we expected. Your loving hands are always creating freedom, release, and fresh starts! Help us do the same today by caring for all living things with gentleness and care. Open us to humbly receive that same care ourselves. Make our hearts smile and our actions sing with your promise of abundance toward the whole world. Amen. -Illustrated Ministry Curriculum Team
Invitation Prayer of Dedication We recognize that the Kingdom of God is somehow accessible within each of us. We encourage each other to take care of our own spiritual lives as well as to reach out to others. We accept the strong ethical requirements of the inward kingdom seeking outward incarnation. Affirmation of Faith If the Kingdom of God is within you, then everywhere you go you should leave a little heaven behind. People will know you to be a heaven leaver. You can learn to love your crooked neighbor with your crooked heart because you’re connected to a power and grace greater than your ego. Benediction And so be at peace knowing that you are part of a realm of justice and love, a realm that like a weed cannot be stopped. Amen Postlude “Carillon” Dean Wagner, The Bayou City Bells, David Lee, director. |
Worship Notes
The worship leader is Moses Mason.
The prelude is played by The Bayou City Bells, David Lee, director.
The Call to Worship is from Ode to Bread by Pablo Neruda.
The Opening Sentences are by David Buttrick (adapted).
The Unison Confession is adapted from “God in Everyday Life: The Parables” in Jesus of Nazareth by Dorothee Soelle and Louise Schottroff.
“Show Me Thy Ways” is sung by The Covenant Singers, Heather Laureles, clarinet.
The Prayer of Dedication is adapted from and inspired by Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All by Scott McClennan.
The Affirmation of Faith is adapted from Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom by Cornel West.
The postlude is played by The Bayou City Bells, David Lee, director.
The worship leader is Moses Mason.
The prelude is played by The Bayou City Bells, David Lee, director.
The Call to Worship is from Ode to Bread by Pablo Neruda.
The Opening Sentences are by David Buttrick (adapted).
The Unison Confession is adapted from “God in Everyday Life: The Parables” in Jesus of Nazareth by Dorothee Soelle and Louise Schottroff.
“Show Me Thy Ways” is sung by The Covenant Singers, Heather Laureles, clarinet.
The Prayer of Dedication is adapted from and inspired by Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All by Scott McClennan.
The Affirmation of Faith is adapted from Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom by Cornel West.
The postlude is played by The Bayou City Bells, David Lee, director.
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